1) For the same reasons any "boss" should help an employee in need, 2) He's an NFL player now and representing the league, 3) It's the right thing to do.

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Originally Posted by SheTexan

The NFL can't "save" this kid from himself, he's the only one who can do that...he has a problem, and NOONE, not even the powerful NFL, can help him until he's ready to help himself. JMO!!

True, but there are millions of sober alcoholics who initially got sober because of a "nudge from a judge" or because they had a "back problem" (wife is on my back, boss is on my back...) I'm one.

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Originally Posted by SheTexan

The fact that he pleaded NOT GUILTY says a lot, IMHO!

Anyone and everyone with an attorney pleads "not guilty" at the first court date. It's part of the process. Majority of the time it leads to a plea agreement based on a later "guilty" plea down the road.

Former Oklahoma State badass Justin Blackmon insists ... he didn't drive like a drunk lunatic last weekend -- pleading "not guilty" in court yesterday to DUI.

According to the arrest report, Justin was pulled over early Sunday morning in Stillwater, OK for driving 60mph in a 35, and swerving into oncoming traffic. When the officer approached the vehicle, he detected the odor of alcohol.

According to the officer, Justin had red watery eyes and admitted to drinking before getting into the car.

The officer administered a field sobriety test and, after an abysmal performance, Justin was placed under arrest for DUI. When he got back to the police station, Blackmon blew a .24 (three times the legal limit).

Interesting -- Blackmon was recently drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars, but still hasn't signed with the team. It's unclear how the arrest will affect negotiations, but there are reports the Jags will low ball him now.

Blackmon is currently free on $1,000 bond. His next court date's July 24th.

By the time he arrived at the police station. additional time would have gone by for his BAC to have decrease.............in other words, at the time of the stop, his BAC would have been higher!

By Gregg Rosenthal
Around The League editor
Published: June 5, 2012 at 07:50 a.m.
Updated: June 5, 2012 at 08:50 a.m.

More details continue to emerge following Jacksonville Jaguars wideout Justin Blackmon's arrest over the weekend. Blackmon, who pleaded not guilty to DUI charges on Monday, will be able to answer some of the questions after the incident when he returns to the team.

The Florida Times-Union noted Monday that police said Blackmon was "argumentative" when he was pulled over. He failed to yield to police for four blocks. When questioned, Blackmon reportedly said, "I just flew in. I don't know why you are harassing me."

He blew a .24 and .26 on his breathalyzer test, over three times the legal limit. The District Attorney in Stillwater, Okla., indicated Blackmon will not be able to plea to a lesser charge.

Blackmon is expected to return to the Jaguars for offseason conditioning Tuesday and is likely to hold a news conference this week. Blackmon's arrest came at a time the team was starting its caravan to try to sell season tickets outside of Jacksonville. The No. 5 overall pick was scheduled to appear at a team event in Georgia on Friday.

There have been suggestions that the Jaguars will not offer Blackmon a fully guaranteed contract like the Arizona Cardinals gave last year's No. 5 overall pick: LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson.

In one stretch from 2006 to 2008, 11 Jaguar players were arrested. In April this year, defensive tackle Terrance Knighton needed eye surgery after he was hit in the head with a bottle at a Jacksonville nightclub.

The incident that received the most national attention happened in 2008, when offensive lineman Richard Collier was shot six times. As a result, he was paralyzed from the waist down and his left leg was amputated.

What's ironic is that Collier spoke about making good decisions off the field to his former Jaguars teammates the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend, during organized team activities.

It's too bad someone wasn't listening.

Blackmon's arrest also has opened old wounds because several of the team's wide receivers have had extensive issues with drugs and alcohol.

The most notable was five-time Pro Bowler Jimmy Smith, who was placed in the NFL's substance-abuse program in 2003 after testing positive for cocaine following a traffic stop. Smith also was busted for possessing crack cocaine and marijuana in 2009 -- three years after he had retired from the Jaguars.

The problem with young players is that many of them are too arrogant to believe their reckless behavior will ever jeopardize their careers. They don't believe their lives will ever turn out like those of Matt Jones and Reggie Williams, two receivers the Jaguars selected in the first round who eventually destroyed their reputations and careers because of drug and alcohol arrests.

Blackmon has taken a step down that destructive path, and it would be beyond embarrassing if another Jaguars receiver proved to be a waste of time.

Last week, Jaguars owner Shahid Khan got the first test of his tenure as owner of the team, thanks to a public pissing match with the City of Jacksonville.

He hadn’t seen anything yet.

Khan now has to decide what to do with receiver Justin Blackmon, the fifth overall pick in the draft who consumed much more than a six-pack (allegedly) before getting behind the wheel of a car on Sunday morning.

Khan has options. He can do nothing, deferring to the authorities first and, if Blackmon is convicted or pleads guilty (or no contest or enters a diversion program), the league office second. At the other end of the spectrum, Khan can renounce his rights to Blackmon — which is almost as unlikely as Khan renouncing his rights to the franchise.

In between those two extremes resides a range of possibilities. Khan can, as previously explained, insist on provisions in Blackmon’s rookie deal that would erase future salary guarantees if Blackmon has any further incidents. Or Khan could insist on breaking from the slotting process, offering Blackmon a contract that represents a fair estimate of what he would receive based on where Blackmon would be selected if the draft were held today.

Khan could take that mindset to another level, explaining to Blackmon’s agent that the player will be offered a contract roughly worth what he would receive if he sits out a full year and re-enters the draft in 2012, inevitably being selected far lower than the fifth overall pick.

Then there’s the possibility (albeit remote) of sending Blackmon to a new team, now. Under Article 6, Section 4(b) of the CBA, a drafted rookie who has not signed a contract may be traded until 30 days before the first game of the regular season. (This year, the deadline is August 6.) Of course, that approach would reflect the ultimate in buying high and selling low; few teams would give the Jaguars at this point anything equivalent to the value of the fifth overall pick in the draft.

But it would send one hell of a message.

Khan’s choice, whatever it may be, will provide important insight into his views regarding the team he has purchased. Will winning overcome principal? Or will principal be massaged in a manner conducive to winning? A cynic may say that the final decision ultimately will be driven by the path most likely to sell tickets.

I'm not following - there was no part of what Florio wrote that insinuated that the Jags might dump him (although I agree with him being tiresome all too often).

This part:

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Then there’s the possibility (albeit remote) of sending Blackmon to a new team, now.

Regardless of "the rules", the owner with the funny mustache & gangster suit needs to get in a room with the player and his agents his manager and his family and his coaches .... get an acknowledgement, make a plan, get a commitment, and get him to some good help. There are lives at stake: the public's & the player's.

WHAT?? You think the league should step up, do the RIGHT thing, and SAVE this kid from himself, BUT, football should not be important at all?? Please tell me WHY the league should even get involved? This dude obviously had problems LONG before he entered the NFL. Since you've dealt with alcoholism yourself, you should know that the treatment starts with SELF! The NFL can't "save" this kid from himself, he's the only one who can do that. Maybe being in the NFL is a detriment to this dude! Lots of money, fame, free time to do what he pleases. The fact that he pleaded NOT GUILTY says a lot, IMHO! He's not ready to admit he has a problem, and NOONE, not even the powerful NFL, can help him until he's ready to help himself. JMO!!

Playoffs pretty much covered my answers to you. Unfortunately it took some tough love from my friends and family to calm me down. After I finished playing ball, drinking filled a void in my life and kind of took over. I didn't think I had a problem at the time. The NFL should get involved if they truly care for the welfare of their players. Just like they prevent guys from coming into the game after concussions.

It wouldn't be out of line for the NFL to make some type of alcohol invervention madatory for players who committ alcohol related crimes. I think it would be a great idea. Most of these guys don't think they have a problem just like I didn't. Its something I fight with every day of my life so even if he realizes he has a problem that still may not change anything. Support groups and being around others who are dealing with similar issues help. So I understand what this kid's going through. Its why I hope he gets it under control, but most people can't just quit like that on their own. It doesn't just work like that trust me. Fortunately I've never had to deal with the legal issues that are facing him, and he was completely dumb for getting behind the wheel of a car.

I'm stoked to see Freddie T in gainesville tonight, going to get my boys his autograph. The only positive thing from this 2nd DUI, is that Blackmon didn't kill anybody and maybe it's early enough, he can change his habits? I'm sure he got an ear full yesterday at Everbank. He is going to have a press conference today. Here's cool article, right here. http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2012/6/...kmon?ref=yahoo

By the way, I don't think the Jags are going to be bad for very long. You guys are forgetting the Weaver/JDR era is over...there is a new attitude down here. A spark, not sure how to describe it...feeling Khan is going to build a really good franchise. It takes time, look how long the Texans took! If Kubes would have choked last season, he like JDR would be gone. That's the nature of the NFL. True fans stick through the think and the thin...that's the fun!

I think the Jags are going to be the worst team in the NFL over the next 5 years.

Like, historically the worst team in football over a 5-year span. I don't think they know what they're doing. Once MJD is done, it's going to get very very ugly for them.

LOL, let me que REM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVmB3lRjCmc There is always another player that stands up and becomes a player, that's the nature of the NFL. I wouldn't be surprised, if the Jags will challenge for the AFC South title this season!

LOL, let me que REM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVmB3lRjCmcThere is always another player that stands up and becomes a player, that's the nature of the NFL. I wouldn't be surprised, if the Jags will challenge for the AFC South title this season!